Newcastle United not interested in West Brom star

The Hawthorns during the The FA Cup match between West Bromwich Albion and Gateshead at The Hawthorns, West Bromwich, England on 3 January 2015. Photo by Alan Franklin.

Premier League side Newcastle United are reportedly not interested in signing West Bromwich Albion winger Matt Phillips, according to a report from the Evening Chronicle.

Reports over the weekend had suggested that Rafa Benitez was interested in bringing the Scotland international in, but it appears that Phillips is not a real target for the North East club.

Instead, the Magpies are interested in bringing in Crystal Palace winger Andros Townsend, rather than swooping for Phillips.

Newcastle dismissing their interest in the West Brom man means that it is just Cardiff City and Middlesbrough who will compete for the 27-year-old.

Cardiff City have already signed Josh Murphy, who plays in a similar position to Phillips, so that might give Middlesbrough the edge in the chase for him.

Matt Phillips was part of the West Brom squad that suffered relegation from the Premier League during the 2017/18 campaign, and despite having two years left on his contract at the Hawthorns, he is expected to leave the club this summer.

The 12 cap Scotland international joined West Bromwich Albion back in 2016, making a move from Queens Park Rangers following their relegation from the Premier League.

Phillips came through the youth set-up at Wycombe Wanderers before completing a move to Blackpool in 2010.

The Scots’ performances at Blackpool earned him his move to Queens Park Rangers, and saw the Fylde Coast team rake in a fee somewhere in the region of £5 million for him.

Although Newcastle are not wanting to sign Phillips from West Brom, they are still reportedly interested in their striker Salomon Rondon.